‘Vanderbilt Blogs’
Understanding the Mid-50%
Dec. 9, 2010—As a counselor at a highly selective college I frequently field questions about standardized testing. I noticed in recent months, though, that many students I work with don’t apply testing statistics to their college search process appropriately. Numbers aren’t helpful if you don’t understand their reference. Here I break down testing statistics: questions to ask...
Committee 2011
Dec. 6, 2010—I know that once you click “Submit” on the Common App it feels anti-climatic. This year I’m walking applicants through the process at Vanderbilt in real time. Hopefully this transparency helps you feel less stressed. In a previous post I walked you through how I read an actual file. Here I answer questions about the...
What Not to Fret About
Dec. 1, 2010—I had a writing block this week. I think my head is full of all the writing my students put into their applications, which is amazing, but a block of sorts for my own words. I’ve been stewing for days and as I summarily rejected numerous ideas I put them into a mental category I...
Meet Alex Gano
Nov. 29, 2010—My hometown is Charleston, Illinois. I am the admissions counselor for Illinois (non-Chicago) and Southern California. I share these territories with Nicole Molina.
Thanksgiving Week Information
Nov. 23, 2010—Hopefully the information below helps keep you in the loop this holiday week! I hope you have an amazing time with friends and family on Thanksgiving. Relax and give yourself the break you deserve.
Not an Ivy in the South
Nov. 2, 2010—Vanderbilt is not an Ivy League in the South. No, I’m not going to be one of those naïve jerks who tells you the Ivy League is just a sports conference. I understand it means more than an athletic schedule. Wikipedia (the authority on all things pop culture) says the Ivy League has a “connotation...
Early Decision on the Mind
Oct. 26, 2010—Yesterday I was sitting in a coffee shop in Bloomington, Indiana spacing off and thinking about the small joys of life – I had my first John Cougar Mellencamp sighting! I spent four years in Bloomington and it wasn’t until I came back several years after moving that I saw JCM milling about. This was...
Alumni Interviews NOW Available!
Oct. 18, 2010—I can’t believe I’m wrapping up my final week of fall recruitment. Hopefully, I’ll see many of the students I’ve met these past few months on campus next year! As we reach the peak of application season, be aware that alumni interviews are an optional part of the application process at Vanderbilt. Alumni interviews at...
Wrapping Up Travel Season – What Comes Next?
Oct. 11, 2010—Hopefully, you’ve had the chance to meet an admissions representative from our office in the past few months. Officers (including myself) from Vanderbilt traveled extensively this fall in order to meet prospective students in their hometowns. If you didn’t get to meet one of us in your region, come visit us! OUA is open six...
IDK
Oct. 4, 2010—What type of grass is on the soccer field? How many declared majors are in the philosophy department? Is a double major in biology and chemistry the same thing as a biochemistry degree? What percentage of incoming freshmen preference a roommate versus those that go potluck? Of your African American students, what is the gender...
Meet Harper Haynes
Oct. 1, 2010—Anderson, South Carolina is my hometown. I am the admissions counselor responsible for Northern and Central Florida and South Carolina.
10th Day Data
Sep. 30, 2010—Before school begins each fall colleges and universities think we know what the incoming class is going to look like (statistically speaking), but we can’t be absolutely confident. Therefore we wait 10 days for everyone to get to campus, begin classes, and get in a groove before we take count. This college/university census is known as...